The NV Laurent-Perrier Grand Siecle No 26 [Champagne Blend] is a blend of three vintages: 2012, 2008, and 2007. This Champagne is composed of 58% Chardonnay and 42% Pinot Noir, sourced from eight grand cru vineyards. The wine was aged for ten years on the lees and was disgorged in February 2023 with a dosage of 7 grams per liter. It has an alcohol content of 12.0%.
James Suckling awarded this wine a perfect score of 100 points, describing it as "really something" and "electric on the palate." He noted its complex aromas of "sliced fresh and dried ginger, subtle pie crust, tarte tatin and hints of nutmeg with some salted caramel." Suckling emphasized its "freshness and balance," calling it "spectacular" and a "symphonic blend."
Antonio Galloni of Vinous rated this wine between 94 and 96 points, praising its "super-expressive, creamy" nature. He highlighted the "dried pear, smoke, crushed rocks, and mint" that infuse the wine, stressing its "textural richness and resonance."
William Kelley from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate gave it a score of 96+, describing it as "suave" and "complex." He noted the "notes of nectarine, peach, and ripe citrus fruits," as well as "freshly baked bread, buttered toast, nougat, white flowers, and clear honey." Kelley highlighted its "deep and rather broad-shouldered core of fruit" balanced by "racy acids and animated by a classy pinpoint mousse."
Decanter also rated this wine 96 points, noting its composition from "two of Champagne's greatest recent vintages." The review mentioned "ripe apricots, white peach, clementines, and sunny, zesty citrus" with "fleshy, creamy notes of papaya and toasted white sourdough." It praised the wine's "sleek, silky mousse" and its "approachable" nature.
Wine Spectator gave the wine 95 points, focusing on its "graceful" profile with "flavors of boysenberry and black cherry fruit, toast, blanched almond, and grapefruit pith." The review highlighted the "racy acidity" and "minerally hints of chalk and oyster shell" on the finish.
Sarah Mayo from The Wine Independent also rated it 95 points, describing its "burnished yellow gold" color and "strikingly complex nose" with "layers of ripe pear, nectarine, and summer red berries." She noted its "opulent" palate with "great fruit intensity" and "excellent freshness" in the long, chalky finish.
John Gilman from View From The Cellar awarded it 96+, praising its "beautiful elegance" and "complex blend of apple, white peach, fresh-baked bread, chalky soil tones, incipient notes of caraway seed, dried flowers and a topnote of gentle smokiness." He highlighted its "pure, full-bodied" nature and "impeccably balanced finish," noting its potential for further aging.
In summary, the NV Laurent-Perrier Grand Siecle No 26 is widely praised for its complexity, balance, and aging potential, with excellent reviews from multiple esteemed publications.